Singapore's first prime minister hospitalised with pneumonia

SINGAPORE, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Singapore's first prime
minister and the man widely credited with the city state's
economic success, Lee Kuan Yew, is in hospital with severe
pneumonia.

"His condition has stabilised and he remains on mechanical
ventilation in the ICU (intensive care unit). He is conscious
and lightly sedated," the prime minister's office said in a
statement on Saturday.

Lee, who turned 91 last September, was admitted on Feb. 5,
the office said.

Although Lee has receded from the public and political
scene, his health is watched closely as he is still seen as an
influential figure for the government of Prime Minister Lee
Hsien Loong, his oldest son.

Lee built the small Southeast Asian island into one of the
world's wealthiest nations during his 31 years as prime
minister.

He retired from public life in 2011 when he resigned his
cabinet post after the ruling People's Action Party had its
worst showing at a general election since Singapore gained
independence.
(Reporting by Anshuman Daga; Editing by Mark Potter)